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Leopard Reference Library
System-level Mac OS X services streamline the development process for audio developers, and for application developers who incorporate audio into their products. Core Audio provides native multichannel audio in a manner scalable for future high-resolution formats. The Audio Unit API provides a plug-in architecture for both DSP and for MIDI-based virtual instruments. MIDI services provide multiport MIDI capability.

An introduction to audio development in Mac OS X.   Essential information for developers working with audio in Mac OS X.   C and Objective-C API references organized by framework.
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Apple Core Audio Format Specification 1.0 (HTML) (PDF)
Specifies the Apple Core Audio Format (CAF) for audio files.
Apple Applications Reference 2006-03-08
Audio Unit Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Core Audio frameworks and the Core Audio SDK to create audio units.
Apple Applications Guides 2007-10-31
Core Audio Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Provides an overview of Core Audio and its programming interfaces.
Apple Applications Guides 2007-01-08
Creating Core Audio Format (.caf) Files (HTML)
QA1534: Describes how to use afconvert to create .caf files
Apple Applications Technical Q&As 2009-01-07
HID Manager Event Data Underruns (HTML)
QA1038: Explains how to correctly handle HID Manager event queue data underruns.
Apple Applications Technical Q&As 2001-06-13
Optimizing Audio Unit User Experience in Logic Studio (HTML)
TN2207: How to provide the best user experience with your audio unit in Logic Studio
Apple Applications Technical Notes 2009-04-23
Audio File Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a C programming interface for reading and writing audio files.
Carbon Reference 2008-07-08
Audio Queue - Looping Compressed Audio (HTML)
QA1636: Discusses the format information required to seamlessly loop compressed audio using Audio Queue.
Carbon Technical Q&As 2009-02-20
Audio Queue Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to play and record audio using Audio Queue Services.
Carbon Guides 2007-10-31
Audio Queue Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a high-level programming interface for recording and playing back audio data.
Carbon Reference 2008-07-08
Audio Unit Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Core Audio frameworks and the Core Audio SDK to create audio units.
Carbon Guides 2007-10-31
AudioDeviceNotify (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to enumerate audio devices attached to the system and how to handle device notifications
Carbon Sample Code 2006-04-21
AudioQueueTest (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates AudioQueue, an audio playback API introduced in Mac OS X 10.5
Carbon Sample Code 2006-08-01
Capturing Speech Manager Output (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
Deprecated - SND15: Capturing the output from the Speech Synthesis Manager to a file.
Carbon Technical Q&As 1998-05-18
Changing the volume of audio devices (HTML)
QA1016: Demonstrates volume controls for audio devices
Carbon Technical Q&As 2006-05-02
Core Audio Glossary (HTML) (PDF)
Defines general digital audio terms as well as terms specific to Apple's Core Audio technology.
Carbon Reference 2008-07-07
Core Audio Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Provides an overview of Core Audio and its programming interfaces.
Carbon Guides 2007-01-08
CoreAudio Overload Warnings (HTML)
QA1467: Describes CoreAudio overload warnings what they mean and how to avoid them.
Carbon Technical Q&As 2006-03-29
Disc Recording Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the Objective-C and C API for burning audio and data CDs and DVDs.
Carbon Reference 2008-04-08
Disc Recording UI Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the Objective-C and C API for presenting a user interface when burning audio and data CDs and DVDs.
Carbon Reference 2008-04-08
DiscRecording Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for Mac OS X v10.5
Carbon Release Notes 2007-10-31
Going Universal: Audio Developers Catch the Wave (HTML)
Learn how audio developers who built universal binaries of their applications are reaping the benefits.
Carbon Articles 2006-07-18
Handling Audio Unit Events (HTML)
TN2104: This technote explains how to handle AudioUnit Events
Carbon Technical Notes 2005-04-29
The header file 'alut.h' is missing from the OpenAL framework. (HTML)
QA1504: ALUT headers were removed from OpenAL.framework with the Xcode 2.4. This Q&A describes how to regain access to those system-supplied symbols
Carbon Technical Q&As 2007-02-06
MACE Restrictions (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
Deprecated - SND16: MACE algorithms only support the compression of 8-bit offset binary sound.
Carbon Technical Q&As 1999-06-08
Making Input Gain Setting Changes (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
Deprecated - SND01: Changing the input gain setting on older Power Macs before recording.
Carbon Technical Q&As 1996-06-01
MIDI File Format (HTML)
Describes the QuickTime implementation of the MIDI file standard.
Carbon Reference 2002-09-17
MoreIsBetter (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Library providing indispensable wrapers and workarounds for many areas of Mac OS programming.
Carbon Sample Code 2003-10-27
QuickTime Audio (HTML)
Explains how to enable recording and playback of various audio media.
Carbon Guides 2002-09-17
QuickTime Music Architecture Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to enable synthesizing and playing of sounds and musical sequences.
Carbon Guides 2006-01-10
RecordAudioToFile (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates recording audio to an AAC file using Core Audio
Carbon Sample Code 2007-02-27
Recording Compressed Sounds (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
Deprecated - SND14: Sound Manager and sound input driver compression options are limited to allow interrupt time recording.
Carbon Technical Q&As 1998-04-12
Selecting a specific sound input source (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
Deprecated - SND10: Using the sound input driver to select specific sound input sources.
Carbon Technical Q&As 1998-01-16
Setting Audio Input Gain (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
Deprecated - SND11: Setting audio input gain under Mac OS 8.1.
Carbon Technical Q&As 1998-02-10
siActive Channels Unsupported on Some Power Macs (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
Deprecated - SND03: siActive Channels is unsupported on some older PowerMacs (siUnknownInfoType returned by SPBGetDeviceInfo).
Carbon Technical Q&As 1996-06-01
siMonitorSource Selector (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
Deprecated - SND13: Using the sound output siMonitorAvailable, and siMonitorSource selectors.
Carbon Technical Q&As 1998-04-12
SimplePlayThru (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Use the HAL's Audio Output Unit (AUHAL) for device input and output on a single device (play-thru)
Carbon Sample Code 2006-10-25
SimpleSpeechRecExample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the Speech Recognition Manager in a simple application.
Carbon Sample Code 2003-03-26
siOSTypeInput Selectors (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
Deprecated - SND12: The use of siOSTypeInputSource, and siOSTypeInputAvailable selectors and extracting the siOSTypeInputAvailable OSTypes returned.
Carbon Technical Q&As 1998-04-12
siOSTypeInputAvailable Format (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
Deprecated - SND09: The format of the data returned by the siOSTypeInputAvailable selector is SoundInfoList.
Carbon Technical Q&As 1998-01-16
The Sound of Opportunity Knocking: The Audio Units Community Takes Off (HTML)
Learn how one developer created a successful business using audio units.
Carbon Articles 2005-10-31
Standard Sound Dialog Component (HTML)
Describes the QuickTime component that lets the user make audio parameter settings.
Carbon Guides 2002-09-17
Synchronizing Sounds to Video (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
Deprecated - SND19: Enabling regular sound callbacks under Mac OS 9 and Sound Manager 4.0.
Carbon Technical Q&As 1999-10-05
Synchronous SysBeep (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
Deprecated - SND18: Obtaining a synchronous SysBeep with Sound Manager 3.1.
Carbon Technical Q&As 1999-10-05
The System Sound APIs for Mac OS X 10.2, 10.3 and later (HTML)
TN2102: Discusses the System Sound APIs for correctly playing Alerts and User Interface Sound Effects
Carbon Technical Notes 2004-07-13
TremoloUnit (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Audio unit sample demonstrating how to build an effect unit with a generic view.
Carbon Sample Code 2006-10-26
Turn up the Volume with Audio Units (HTML)
Learn to build a sample volume unit, test it, and integrate it into GarageBand.
Carbon Articles 2005-01-31
Using the 3DMixer Audio Unit (HTML)
TN2112: Discusses how to use Core Audio's 3DMixer version 2.0
Carbon Technical Notes 2004-06-14
VelEng FFT (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
G4 Velocity Engine implementation of Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and associated convolution/correlation routines.
Carbon Sample Code 2003-01-14
Audio File Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a C programming interface for reading and writing audio files.
Cocoa Reference 2008-07-08
Audio Queue - Looping Compressed Audio (HTML)
QA1636: Discusses the format information required to seamlessly loop compressed audio using Audio Queue.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2009-02-20
Audio Queue Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to play and record audio using Audio Queue Services.
Cocoa Guides 2007-10-31
Audio Unit Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Core Audio frameworks and the Core Audio SDK to create audio units.
Cocoa Guides 2007-10-31
AudioDeviceNotify (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to enumerate audio devices attached to the system and how to handle device notifications
Cocoa Sample Code 2006-04-21
Core Audio Glossary (HTML) (PDF)
Defines general digital audio terms as well as terms specific to Apple's Core Audio technology.
Cocoa Reference 2008-07-07
Core Audio Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Provides an overview of Core Audio and its programming interfaces.
Cocoa Guides 2007-01-08
CoreAudio Overload Warnings (HTML)
QA1467: Describes CoreAudio overload warnings what they mean and how to avoid them.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2006-03-29
Disc Recording Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the Objective-C and C API for burning audio and data CDs and DVDs.
Cocoa Reference 2008-04-08
Disc Recording UI Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the Objective-C and C API for presenting a user interface when burning audio and data CDs and DVDs.
Cocoa Reference 2008-04-08
DiscRecording Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for Mac OS X v10.5
Cocoa Release Notes 2007-10-31
ExtractMovieAudioToAIFF (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to extract audio from QuickTime Movies and write the data to an AIFF file.
Cocoa Sample Code 2006-03-31
Going Universal: Audio Developers Catch the Wave (HTML)
Learn how audio developers who built universal binaries of their applications are reaping the benefits.
Cocoa Articles 2006-07-18
Handling Audio Unit Events (HTML)
TN2104: This technote explains how to handle AudioUnit Events
Cocoa Technical Notes 2005-04-29
NSSound Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that loads and plays audio files.
Cocoa Reference 2008-10-15
The Sound of Opportunity Knocking: The Audio Units Community Takes Off (HTML)
Learn how one developer created a successful business using audio units.
Cocoa Articles 2005-10-31
Sound Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to load and play audio data in Cocoa.
Cocoa Guides 2006-11-07
TremoloUnit (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Audio unit sample demonstrating how to build an effect unit with a generic view.
Cocoa Sample Code 2006-10-26
Turn up the Volume with Audio Units (HTML)
Learn to build a sample volume unit, test it, and integrate it into GarageBand.
Cocoa Articles 2005-01-31
Use NSSound instead of NSMovie for audio only playback on Mac OS X 10.3 and greater (HTML)
QA1335: Why using NSSound may be a better choice than using NSMovie for audio only playback.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2004-02-04
Using NSSound with CoreAudio on Mac OS 10.3.x (HTML)
QA1394: Workaround the NULL input buffers in a Core Audio IOProc callback when using NSSound by using AudioDeviceAddIOProc
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2006-03-29
Apple Core Audio Format Specification 1.0 (HTML) (PDF)
Specifies the Apple Core Audio Format (CAF) for audio files.
Core Audio Reference 2006-03-08
Audio Codec Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the programming interface for configuring audio codecs and for encoding and decoding audio data.
Core Audio Reference 2007-10-31
Audio Export - Encoding AAC Audio For MPEG-4 Export (HTML)
TN2237: The QT MPEG4 Exporter does not show all options for generating AAC, this TN discusses workarounds.
Core Audio Technical Notes 2009-01-27
Audio File Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a C programming interface for reading and writing audio files.
Core Audio Reference 2008-07-08
Audio File Stream Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for reading non-random access audio file streams.
Core Audio Reference 2008-10-15
Audio Queue - Looping Compressed Audio (HTML)
QA1636: Discusses the format information required to seamlessly loop compressed audio using Audio Queue.
Core Audio Technical Q&As 2009-02-20
Audio Queue Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to play and record audio using Audio Queue Services.
Core Audio Guides 2007-10-31
Audio Queue Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a high-level programming interface for recording and playing back audio data.
Core Audio Reference 2008-07-08
Audio Toolbox Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the Core Audio API to access audio files and convert between linear PCM and compressed audio formats.
Core Audio Reference 2006-11-07
Audio Unit Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Core Audio frameworks and the Core Audio SDK to create audio units.
Core Audio Guides 2007-10-31
Audio Unit Resizing (HTML)
QA1343: Discusses the host's responsibilities when resizing Audio Units.
Core Audio Technical Q&As 2004-03-23
Audio Unit Validation Using the auval Tool (HTML)
TN2204: Test the conformance of audio units to Audio Unit Services.
Core Audio Technical Notes 2008-09-08
Audio Units: Embedding a Carbon View in a Cocoa Window (HTML)
TN2213: Carbon-Cocoa Integration for Audio Units
Core Audio Technical Notes 2008-02-29
AudioChannelLayout - What's the Audio Channel Order when the Layout has a Channel Bitmap? (HTML)
QA1638: Explains the audio channel order when a channel layout is tagged as kAudioChannelLayoutTag_UseChannelBitmap.
Core Audio Technical Q&As 2009-04-12
AudioConverter: How do I know when I am done? (HTML)
QA1532: Describes how to correctly signal AudioConverter when a conversion is completed.
Core Audio Technical Q&As 2007-08-23
AudioDevice sample rates (HTML)
QA1196: Getting, setting and converting sample rates with Audio Devices.
Core Audio Technical Q&As 2003-12-09
AudioDeviceNotify (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to enumerate audio devices attached to the system and how to handle device notifications
Core Audio Sample Code 2006-04-21
AudioQueueTest (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates AudioQueue, an audio playback API introduced in Mac OS X 10.5
Core Audio Sample Code 2006-08-01
AudioQueueTools (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates usage of the AudioQueue API
Core Audio Sample Code 2007-06-08
AUGraphs and AudioUnit connections (HTML)
QA1174: Discusses AudioUnit connection issues when using more than one AudioUnit or an AUGraph.
Core Audio Technical Q&As 2003-12-09
CAPlayThrough (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Illustrates how to use the HAL's Audio Output Unit (AUHAL) for device input and the Default Output Audio Unit for output.
Core Audio Sample Code 2007-08-22
Changing the volume of audio devices (HTML)
QA1016: Demonstrates volume controls for audio devices
Core Audio Technical Q&As 2006-05-02
Core Audio Data Types Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes data types and constants used throughout Core Audio.
Core Audio Reference 2008-11-19
Core Audio Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes a C API that interfaces with audio hardware and includes data types used throughout Core Audio.
Core Audio Reference 2006-11-07
Core Audio Glossary (HTML) (PDF)
Defines general digital audio terms as well as terms specific to Apple's Core Audio technology.
Core Audio Reference 2008-07-07
Core Audio Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Provides an overview of Core Audio and its programming interfaces.
Core Audio Guides 2007-01-08
Core MIDI Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes a C API for Mac OS X MIDI system services.
Core Audio Reference 2008-04-08
Core MIDI Server Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the Mac OS X MIDI driver interface.
Core Audio Reference 2008-04-08
CoreAudio Overload Warnings (HTML)
QA1467: Describes CoreAudio overload warnings what they mean and how to avoid them.
Core Audio Technical Q&As 2006-03-29
Creating Core Audio Format (.caf) Files (HTML)
QA1534: Describes how to use afconvert to create .caf files
Core Audio Technical Q&As 2009-01-07